Video signal reproducing apparatus connectable with printer

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for recording a video signal while forming a great number of parallel tracks on a tape-shaped recording medium, and reproducing the video signal from the track, wherein for a specified picture on the recording medium, a processing code to be used in printing the picture is recorded on the recording medium in correspondence with the specified picture, whereby without recourse to an actual printing of the specified picture, it is possible that only the practice of recording the processing code for the specified picture of the tape-shaped recording medium suffices for starting a selecting operation for the next picture.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/674,219, filedJul. 1, 1996 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,536), which is a continuation of Ser.No. 08/561,561, filed Nov. 22, 1995, abandoned which is a continuationof Ser. No. 08/217,775, filed Mar. 23, 1994, abandoned, which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 08/094,375, filed Jul. 19, 1993, abandoned,which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/625,498, filed Dec. 11, 1996(U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,880).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to video signal reproducing apparatuses and, moreparticularly, to a video signal reproducing apparatus suited to beconnected with a printer for printing the video signal of a specifiedpicture.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a case where a picture corresponding to the video signal reproducedby the video tape recorder (VTR) is printed by a printer, it has beentypical that a desired picture is selected out of the pictures of thereproduced signals from the VTR and is stored in a memory in theprinter, and the video data is read from the memory at a predeterminedspeed, so that the picture is printed out.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a conventional system of this kind comprisinga VTR 81, a monitor 82 and a video printer 83. A desired picture out ofa great number of pictures recorded on the tape is printed in the waydescribed below.

To begin with, the VTR 81 is set to the reproduction mode, and themonitor 82 and the printer 83 are supplied with the reproduced videosignals from the VTR 81. As the monitor 82 is then sweeping thepictures, the operator actuates a console of the printer 83 at thetiming when the desired picture is displayed. Responsive to thisactuation, a control portion 85 operates a memory portion 84 so thateither one field or one frame (hereinafter simply referred to as “onepicture”) of video signal is stored in the memory portion 84. The videosignal, after having been stored for one picture in the portion 84, isread out at a predetermined speed corresponding to the printing speed ofa printing portion 86. By this, printing of the desired picture isrealized with the printing portion 86.

Incidentally, in the conventional art, the video signal supplied fromthe VTR 81 to the printer 83 is generally an analog video signal.

In such a conventional system as has been descried above, even if aplurality of pictures to be printed are on one and the same tape, theoperator has to repeat a process of the steps of choosing one pictureand then waiting a relatively long time during which the printing goeson and, after that, choosing the next picture, and so on. To print agreat number of pictures, therefore, the operator is occupied for a verylong time at the console of the system till the end of printing of all.

Another drawback is that if one desires to get the picture that has oncebeen used in printing for the purpose of printing it again, to selectthe same picture again is impossible. In more detail, since, in the VTR,the video signals are recorded as moving images at 30 frames or 60fields a second, the tape capable of recording for 120 minutes has about430 thousand pictures in field per cassette recorded thereon. Hence, itis virtually impossible to pick up the specified picture out of thesepictures as searching is repeated again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has a general object to solve the above-describedproblems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a video signal reproducingapparatus which, when printing a specified picture on a recording mediumon which a great number of pictures are recorded, enables itsmanageability to be improved.

Under such an object, according to the invention, in an embodimentthereof, a video signal reproducing apparatus is proposed, comprisingvideo reproducing means for reproducing, from a recording medium onwhich a video signal for a multiplicity of pictures is recorded, thevideo signal, control input means for inputting control information tobe used in a printer connectable with the reproducing apparatus, andcontrol recording means for recording the control information atrecording positions on the recording medium which are determined incorrespondence with respective recorded positions of the multiplicity ofpictures on the recording medium.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a video signalreproducing apparatus which is able to more speedily extract a specifiedpicture on the recording medium on which a great number of pictures arerecorded.

Other than the above-described objects of the invention and its featureswill become apparent from the following detailed description ofembodiments of the invention by reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the conventional system including theVTR and the printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of the main partsof an embodiment of a VTR according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the construction of the entirety of asystem including the VTR of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for the operation of the VTR of FIG. 2 at the timeof designating a picture to be printed.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating the relationship of thephase of rotation of the heads, the recording position on the tape andthe recorded data.

FIG. 6(A) and FIG. 6(B) show concrete examples of data for print controlto be recorded.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show an example of application of the print output bythe system of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the invention is described below.

FIG. 2 in block diagram roughly shows the construction and arrangementof the parts of the VTR embodying the invention, and FIG. 3schematically shows the entirety of a system including the VTR of FIG.2.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording and reproducingapparatus portion. As the input video signal, an image sensing videosignal from, for example, a video camera 11 of VTR-integrated type, or avideo signal from a tuner within a stationary type VTR 12 is assumed. Inthis embodiment, the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to therecorder portion of, for example, the stationary type VTR 12.Incidentally, the arrangement of FIG. 2 may be the recorder portion inthe VTR-integrated type video camera 11.

The video signal reproduced by the recording and reproducing apparatusportion 1 is supplied, as an analog signal to a monitor 2. The operator,while looking at pictures presented on the monitor 2, manipulates theVTR 12. That is, when a picture desired to be printed comes near, theoperator manipulates a pause (temporary stop) button 120 or a knownshuttle dial 121 for freely varying the reproducing speed. The tape istransported until the desired picture is reproduced, and stopped in astate where the desired picture is displayed on the monitor 2. In thepresent embodiment, in this state where the desired picture is displayedon the monitor 2, a print designating button 122 is pushed to recordprocessing data for printing on the tape.

In the following, the above-described operation is described in moredetail by reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2 and the flowchart ofFIG. 4.

At first, by operating a key operation part 200 of FIG. 2, the VTR 12 isset to the reproduction mode. At this time, a system controller 201controls the various portions of the apparatus in accordance withcontrol information from the operation part 200. For example, the systemcontroller 201 controls a capstan motor 203 and a drum motor 204 througha servo circuit 202. It controls switches 209, 212 a, 212 b and 214through a selection signal generator 225. Of course, in thisreproduction mode, the reproducing speed is varied to any appropriatevalue by manipulating the aforesaid dial 212, pause button 210, etc.This variation is realized by varying the speed of rotation of thecapstan motor 203. Further the speed of rotation of the drum motor 204is varied so as to keep constant the speed of heads Ha and Hb relativeto the tape T. Incidentally, it is assumed that the difference ingradient between the tracing locus of the head and the track is alwayscompensated for by head moving mechanisms Ma and Mb.

In such a reproduction mode, the recording and reproducing heads Ha andHb mounted on the drum 206 reproduce video signals, which pass throughswitches 212 a and 212 b which are in their PB positions, and amplifiers213 a and 213 b, respectively, and further through a common switch 214,become a continuous signal. This signal is supplied to a reproducedvideo signal processing circuit 218. The video signal output from thesignal processing circuit 218 is supplied through the PB side terminalof a switch 220 and the N side terminal of a switch 229 to the monitor2. Meanwhile, the audio signal is reproduced from an audio area AA to bedescribed later, and is output through a switch 214, a normally closedswitch 215, a code data decoder 219 and a D/A converter 230.

The operator, while looking at moving images displayed on the monitor 2,searches for a desired picture by manipulating the dial 121, etc. At thetiming the desired picture is displayed, the operator pushes the pausebutton 120, switching the VTR 12 to a still image reproduction mode.Under this condition, the operator manipulates the print designatingbutton 122. This information is then sent from the key operation part200 to the system controller 201. The operation up to this correspondsto a step S1 of the flowchart of FIG. 4.

Next, the flow advances to a step S2 of FIG. 4, where a size of thepicture to be printed is designated by the operation part 200.Subsequently, by the operation part 200, the operator designates a imagequality (step S3), a number of prints (step S4), sorting (step S5), etc.successively. These steps S2-S4 are set for each print size. Whether ornot there is another print size is designated from the operation part200 in a step S6. If present, the flow returns to the step S2. Ifabsent, it advances to a step S7.

In the step S7, data produced in the above-described steps S2-S5(hereinafter called the “print” data) is generated in a print datagenerator 224. In a step S8, this print data is sent to a code dataencoder 208 and also to a display signal generator 222. Here, thereproduced video signal output from the switch 220 and the output signalof the display signal generator 222 corresponding to the print data aremixed by an adder 226. Characters representing the print data aresuperimposed on the picture to be printed. The video signalcorresponding to such a picture is converted into digital form by ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter 227. The output of the A/D converter227 is supplied to an image memory 217. At this time, the print datagenerator 224 commands the memory control circuit 216 to take the videosignal for one frame from the A/D converter 227 into the image memory217 and to read out this repeatedly. By this, the video signal from theimage memory 217 is converted into analog form by a D/A converter 223,and is output through the S side terminal of a switch 229 to the monitor2 (step S9).

Next, the operator, on looking at the picture displayed on the monitor2, confirms the picture to be printed and the print data, and checkswhether or not they are the same contents as desired (step S10). If notthe same contents as desired, the flow returns to the step Si to allowthe operator to try again from the beginning. If the contents are thesame as desired, the flow advances to a step S11, where theabove-described print data is recorded.

In the following, this recording of the print data is explained.

As usual, when the VTR of FIG. 2 is set in the recording mode, arecording video signal processing circuit 207 converts the input videosignal into a form suited to be recorded, and its output is supplied toa switch 210. Meanwhile, the audio signal digitized by an A/D converter230 is also coded in the code data encoder 208 and supplied through anormally closed switch 209 to a switch 210. FIG. 5 is a diagramschematically illustrating the phase of rotation of the head Ha or Hband the tracing position on the tape T. The switch 210 connects therecording video signal processing circuit 207 to an amplifier 211 a or211 b during a period when the head Ha or Hb traces the video area VA,or connects the code data encoder 208 to the amplifier 211 a or 211 bduring a period when the head Ha or Hb traces the audio area AA.

Now, when the recording of the print data is carried out by a step S11of FIG. 4, the switch 209 is controlled by a signal C₃ output from theselection signal generator 225 so that the switch 209 turns on for onlythe period when the head Ha or Hb traces the print data area PAcorresponding to parts of a postamble portion and a guard section of theaudio area AA. Also, by a signal C₁, for this period only, the switches212 a and 212 b are connected to the REC side. By this, the print dataencoded by the code data encoder 208 can be recorded in the print dataarea PA on the tape T. That is, if, in the before-described step S10,the print picture and the print data have the same contents as desired,the print data is recorded in the print data area PA of that track inwhich the video signal being reproduced has been recorded, in the stepS11.

Here, the recording format for the print data is explained by using FIG.5 and FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B). As shown in FIG. 5, the above-described printdata area PA corresponds to 1.5 horizontal scanning periods of the videosignal. That is, the before-described switch 209 is turned on for onlythe period corresponding to this 1.5 H. This area of 1.5 H is dividedinto a header portion of 1.26 H and a data portion of 0.24 H. A headsearch signal to be described later is recorded in the header portion,and the print data is recorded in the data portion. In the data portion,as shown in FIG. 5, five words WD0-WD4, start identification data S, endidentification data E and a CRCC for error correction are recorded. Eachof the words WD0-WD4 consists of 8 bits, and the contents of the wordsare shown in FIG. 6(A) and FIG. 6(B).

As shown in FIG. 6(A), each of the four data words WD1-WD4 has 2 bitsassigned to sorting number, 2 bits to the magnification (print size),and 4 bits to the number of prints. As the sorting number, 4 differentvalues (4 groups) can be set. For each of these, a different value ofmagnification can be set. An example of this scheme is shown in FIG.6(A). The number of prints, because of the use of 4 bits, can be set ina range of 0 to 14, except for these 4 bits all taking “1”. This casehas a special meaning, say, a multi-picture print. This means that thepicture being reproduced and 25 pictures that follow are printed as onesheet of picture. In analogy to the conventional silver-halidephotography, this print mode is used in expecting an equivalent resultto the contact printing of all the frames of common negative roll filmin a sheet.

The word WD0 is for control of the words WD1-WD4 and includes one bit(the second bit) representing whether one field of data or one frame ofdata is used to make a print picture, another bit (the first bit)representing whether or not the printing has been completed. The zerothbit represents whether or not a time space of 10 seconds just beforethis picture to be printed has a print-designated picture (hereinaftersimply called the “parent” picture). Its setting will be describedlater. The third to the seventh bits are data of five bits representingthat this print picture corresponds to what frame number defined by thetime code or the like.

Now, returning again to the step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, theprint data shown in FIG. 6(A) and FIG. 6(B) is recorded in the printdata recording area PA of that track in which the print-designatedpicture has been recorded. After this, the system controller 201 drivesthe capstan motor 203 to rotate at the same speed as in the normalrecording mode, and the head search signal is recorded in the aforesaidheader portion for 10 seconds. For example, a carrier signal of 2.9 MHzis usually recorded in the header portion, and a carrier signal of 5.8MHz is recorded in the portion corresponding to the aforesaid time spaceof 10 seconds. And, the zeroth bit of the before-described word WD0,i.e., one bit which represents the presence or absence of a parentpicture, if, as the head search signal is reproduced in the step S10,this has 5.8 MHz, is automatically set to “1”.

From the tape having the print-designated picture set in such a way, theprint-designated picture is then printed. This operation is describedbelow.

The operator first loads the tape having the print-designated pictureset therein to the VTR 12 and manipulates the operation part 200 toproduce a print command. Responsive to this, the system controller 201drives the capstan motor 203 and the drum motor 204 through the servocircuit 202. So, the tape T is transported at a high speed, while thesignal from the before-described print data area PA is simultaneouslyreproduced. During this time, the switches 212 a and 212 b are connectedto the PB side terminals, and the switch 214 connects the amplifiers 213a and 213 b to the side of the code data decoder 219. The switch 215 isturned on at the timing when the head Ha or Hb traces the print dataarea PA. The code data decoder 219, when the reproduced signal from thebefore-described header portion is 5.8 MHz, produces an output of “1” asthe head search control signal. Responsive to this change of the headsearch control signal to “1”, the system controller 201 controls thecapstan motor 203 so as to transport the tape in the direction reverseto that in the recording mode at the same speed as in the recordingmode.

In this state, the code data decoder 219 decodes data reproduced fromthe data portion. Of the data shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), if the 4-bitdata representing the number of prints is other than “0000”, the systemcontroller 201 stops transporting of the tape T. Incidentally, at thistime, either of a mode in which the transporting of the tape T isstopped only when the data indicating that the picture is not yetprinted is being detected and another mode in which the transporting ofthe tape T is stopped regardless of whether the picture is alreadyprinted or not yet printed can be set. After this stop of the tape T,printing of the reproduced picture is carried out as follows.

With the tape T in the stopping state, the heads Ha and Hb on the headmoving mechanisms Ma and Mb trace the respective recorded tracks of thedesignated picture. The thus-reproduced video signals are suppliedthrough the reproduced video signal processing circuit 218, the adderand the A/D converter 227 to, and stored in, the image memory 217.Further, the print data is supplied through the code data decoder 219to, and stored in, the printer control signal generator 221 thatfunctions as an interface. When these storing operations end, the datastored in the image memory 217 and the printer control data output fromthe printer control signal generator 221 are transferred to a printerdata bus 228. According to the control data, the printer 3 prints thevideo data transferred from the data bus 228. When the printing iscompleted, the printer 3 sends data representing the end of printing tothe data bus 228. And, the printing end data output from the printer 3is sent through the printer control signal generator 221 to the systemcontroller 201. The VTR 12 then performs the next operation.

That is, the VTR 12, when supplied with the printing end data, if thefirst bit of the word WD0 is “1”, performs rewriting of the print datato “0”. The operation at this time of the VTR 12 is similar to that whenthe print data is recorded. So, no more explanation is given. And, thenext designated picture is then searched. If a parent picture ispresent, the VTR 12 starts from the step of transporting the tape in thereverse direction at the same speed as in the recording mode. If notpresent, it starts from the step of transporting the tape in the normaldirection at a high speed.

Lastly, applied examples of prints obtained from the system of theabove-described embodiment are shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. FIG. 7exemplifies unity magnification of print. In the left lower corner ofthe print, the previously described print data of the words WD0-WD4 arerecorded by a bar code. If the printer 3 is made to have a function ofrecording and reproducing this code, it becomes possible to search theoriginal video signal on the tape T from this print. FIG. 8 shows amulti-picture printed out when the print number data of the wordsWD1-WD4 are all “1”. In the right lower corner of each contractedpicture, a picture address on the tape in the form of a time code or thelike is imprinted. If the VTR 12 is provided with a function ofsearching the tape T by using this time code, it becomes possible tosearch the original video signal on the tape T either.

In the system including the VTR of such construction as described above,it is first made possible that after all pictures to be printed havebeen chosen, each picture is automatically printed. Therefore, themanageability of this kind of system is remarkably improved.

Another advantage is that even the picture once used to print can beduplicated easily by reproducing the print data on the tape.

Further, by adding a mark for head search to each of a predeterminednumber of pictures in the neighborhood of a print-designated picture,the tape can be transported at a high speed when searching for theprint-designated picture.

As has been described above, according to the video signal reproducingapparatus of the invention, when printing a desired picture recorded ona tape-shaped recording medium, an improvement of the manageability andan increase of the accuracy of picture search can be realized.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image printing apparatus, comprising: inputmeans for inputting an image signal and printing control informationreproduced from a recording medium, said printing control informationincluding at least information for designating an image to be printed;printing means for printing an image corresponding to said image signalinputted by said input means; and control means for causing saidprinting means to print an image indicative of said printing controlinformation together with said image to be printed, said control meanscomprising conversion means for converting the printing controlinformation into an image signal for printing.
 2. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said printing control information converted by saidconversion means includes information of position of said printed imageon the recording medium.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, whereinsaid image indicative of said printing control information is printed asa bar-code together with the image signal.
 4. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said printing control information includes informationindicative of a printing size of the image.
 5. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said printing control information includes informationindicative of a printed image quality.
 6. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said printing control information includes informationindicative of a printing sheet number.
 7. An apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising printing control information input means forinputting the information from outside.
 8. An image printing method,comprising: inputting an image signal and search information forsearching said image signal reproduced from a recording medium; printingan image corresponding to said inputted image signal; and controllingsaid printing step to cause printing of the inputted search informationfor searching said image signal to be printed from said recording mediumtogether with the image, said controlling including converting theinputted search information into an image signal for printing.
 9. Amethod according to claim 8, wherein said search information convertedby said controlling includes information of position of said printedimage on the recording medium.
 10. A method according to claim 9,wherein said image indicative of said search information is printed as abar code together with the image signal.
 11. method according to claim8, wherein said search information includes information indicative of aprinting size of the image.
 12. A method according to claim 8, whereinsaid search information includes information indicative of a printedimage quality.
 13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the searchinformation includes information indicative of a printing sheet number.14. A method according to claim 8, further comprising search informationinput means for inputting the information from outside.